DRESDEN- UK-based startup carrier, Global Airlines sends its first Airbus A380 from Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) to Dresden Airport (DRS), Germany for heavy maintenance.
Last month, Global Airlines signed a multi-million Euro deal with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering to carry out base Maintenace of A380. The deal marks the return of EFW in A380 MRO service.
Global Airlines A380 Base Maintenance
According to FlightRadar24 data, Global Airlines flight 9HGLOBL operated by Hi-Fly took off from Prestwick at 10:29 AM UTC. After being airborne for two hours and 20 minutes and covering 1,312 KM (815 Miles) of distance, the flight landed safely at Dresden at 12:49 PM UTC.
Global Airlines A380, registered as 9H-GLOBL is a 12-year-old aircraft. It was previously owned by China Southern Airlines (CZ); hence you can still see their livery on the plane.
In Jan 2024, Global acquired the aircraft and is currently operated by Hi-fly Malta for the airline.
CEO Remarks
James Asquith Founder & CEO at Global Airlines said, “Up and away – and what a major milestone today was for Global Airlines in the run up to commercial ops. Thank you to the literally hundreds of people that are making this happen, and our teams that are just the most incredible group of super-human people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”
He further added, “Where to start with this one, seeing our gigantic a380 under the bright hangar lights after we conducted our 5th flight, something that seemed impossible to many a year ago.”
While praising his colleagues and partners for their passion and dedication towards making his dream of operating airline true, he wrote,
“Well, it’s all about the team. Literally hundreds of incredible people have worked with us at Global Airlines to get to this point, and I really apologise for missing out so many people, but a special thanks to my right hand man Richard Stephenson OBE and my home team of David Malins FRAeS Dan, Sam, Liz, Jenny, Matt, Ricardo, Antonios, Andre and many others. To our supportive partners at HI FLY Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH Mojave Air & Space Port Dresden Airport Airbus Jet Midwest BCA, the regulators and our shareholders, the list goes on and on – and I can’t thank everyone enough for showing the same passion in Global and the a380 to get us to this point.”
James finally ended the post with thanking note, “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, as this is driven by nothing more than extreme passion to make a good, enjoyable and hopefully inspiring product that we all get to shape.
What will happen at EFW Facility?
EFW will carry out the base Maintenace or heavy maintenance of Airbus A380, which will enable the aircraft to return to its commercial service again. 9H-GLOBL will undergo all the required checks and maintenance, such as mandatory inspections and component replacements.
After completion of heavy maintenance, A380 will fly again to another location in Europe to get a interior overhaul. This will make 9H-GLOBL ready for its launch in 2025.
While signing the deal, the CEO James Asquith stated that,
Joining forces with EFW is the next significant step in our quest to seeing our first A380 in the sky. 9H-GLOBL’s journey back to the skies has taken yet another significant step forward and I am excited to see our first aircraft fly to Dresden for this work to progress. We have overcome significant hurdles over the past 12 months, and we are now very much advancing our proposition, partnerships, team and operational readiness and our partnership with EFW is the latest giant leap forward. I am looking forward to being in Dresden and seeing the work underway.
James Asquith Founder & CEO at Global Airlines
Subsequently, the CEO of EFW, Jordi Boto said,
We are glad to support the renaissance of the A380 with our capabilities and maintenance services.
Given our years of experience in servicing the A380, we are excited to re-establish our MRO activities for this unique aircraft. We look forward to supporting our new customer Global Airlines with its first A380 and seeing more aircraft of this type back in the sky.”
Jordi Boto, CEO of EFW
EFW Expertise
Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between ST Engineering and Airbus, integrates diverse aviation and technology operations. EFW develops and manufactures composite components for Airbus aircraft structures and interiors.
The company converts passenger aircraft to freighter configurations, performs maintenance and repair on Airbus planes, and provides engineering services for certification and approval processes.
EFW employs over 2,000 workers and generated revenues of approximately €600 million in 2023, maintaining a trajectory of sustainable growth. With more than two decades of experience and a client base exceeding 40 conversion customers globally, EFW has established itself as a leader in the freighter conversion industry.
Its clientele includes major Express carriers in North America and Europe, as well as prominent General Freight and Combination Carriers.
At last, we hope that Global Airlines launch its A380 operations and become first carrier in the world to operate the exclusive fleet of A380s.
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The post Global Airlines Sends First A380 to Germany for Heavy Maintenance | Exclusive appeared first on Aviation A2Z.